Asus is apparently preparing for the launch of its first smart TV device, the Asus Qube. Previously seen back at CES 2013 in Las Vegas, the Asus Qube might end up to be quite a neat little device to have next to your TV screen.

Specification wise, the Asus Qube is based on Marvell's ARMADA 1500 media SoC and comes with 1GB of RAM and 4GB of storage space. Asus will also throw in 50GB of free Asus cloud storage and a neat looking remote control with QWERTY keyboard. As is the case with most Android systems, it will be able to stream content from Amazon, Google Play, Netflix, HBOGo, Pandora and others.

The Asus Qube should launch in the USA on the 23rd of April with a US $129 price tag.

As expected, Asus has announced its innovative Qube Google TV device that already showed up in a bunch of leaks and an FCC filing.

Unfortunately, Asus will not host a press event for the Qube at CES 2013, but the company has released a brief press release taunting Qube's unique "Qube interface" which apparently displays functions by rotating on-screen cube shape, like we did not see that coming. This, of course, has not stopped those that were curious enough, so Anandtech managed to score a hands-on as well as some details and specs. The Marvell Armada 1500 platform is the heart of the Qube, two HDMI ports are on board, as well as Ethernet, WiFi and USB ports. It also features a full QWERTY remote with microphone for voice commands and gyro for motion control.

Qube will offer both motion control and voice search that integrates Google Play, Chrome, Youtube in one compact device as well as access to Netflix and Amazon Instant Video.

The advanced remote control supports motion sensing for gaming and other applications, while it will also be possible to control the Qube with the Mobile Remote app available for Android smartphones.

Asus will also throw in an extra 50GB of WebStorage cloud space with every Qube. All we need now is the official price and release date. Anandtech noted that the Qube could end up somewhere in the US $100-120 price range.

During its press conference at CES 2013 in Las Vegas, LG announced its extended LG Google TV lineup that will include a total of seven models in five screen sizes, all scheduled for 2013. The new lineup also includes LG's new premium models with Cinema Screen design.

As far as we can tell from LG's press release, the "extended" LG Google TV lineup includes two model series, the GA7900 and the GA6400. The GA6400 series will be available in 42-, 47-, 50-, 55- and 60-inch screen sizes while the premium GA7900 only comes in 47 and 55-inch screen sizes but offers Cinema Screen design with impressively reduced bezel, Magic Stand that enables the screen to appear as if it is floating and also provides swivel and roller function.

Google's latest platform and LG's new, redesigned Magi Qerty Remote should enhance the effectiveness of Voice Search and Prime Time, while the new Home Dashboard brings convenient access to premium video on-demand, according to LG.

An update on the Official Google TV blog has now confirmed that we will definitely see some Google TV devices at CES that kicks off on January 8th in Las Vegas.

The company announced that we will see a bunch of devices coming from Hisense, TLC, LG, Vizio, Sony and others as well as the recently rumored Asus Qube device. As you might remember, Asus Qube is a Google TV dongle that passed the FCC approval recently and it appears that Google has turned to its favorite manufacturer once more.

Of course, it is still early to write off the rest of the industry, as heavyweights like LG and Sony might have an ace hidden up their sleeve as well. In addition to a list of these and rumors about other devices, Google also mentioned new apps including Amazon, France24, Dramafever and more that have been added to Google Tv.

You can check out the nice Google TV video below and the official Google TV blog update can be found here.

Smart TVs are expected to finally take off next year, with Google TV sets from several vendors and Apple’s “iTV” or whatever Cupertino decides to call it.

LG is already trying to get some coverage for its 2013 lineup, set to launch at CES. The company will deliver seven different models, five GA6400 series sets in 42- to 60-inch sizes, along with two GA7900 models, with 47- and 55-inch Cinema Screen panels. Cinema Screen is basically LG’s moniker for high end panels with incredibly small bezels.

Both series will feature LG’s Magic Qwerty remote and the worst couch potatoes around will be catered to with voice recognition controls. I wonder how that thing will work out when confronted with angry, old white people yelling at Obama.

There’s still no word on the ARM hardware or the actual version of Android behind the sets. When dealing with LG gear, the OS version is rather important, since the company has a terrible track record when it comes to updates, at least as far as its phones go.

One of the biggest issues with Kindle Fire is its availability. Even today, months after the launch it is only available in the USA. Europeans cannot buy it at their local Amazon website.

Google wants to change this as we hear that Google Nexus tablet is scheduled to launch both in US and Europe. It will launch in at least a few major European markets simultaneously making it available for European customers at launch.

We are hearing that this tablet should launch in May, but you can never be quite sure in these plans. May sounds lot earlier than most people were expecting and, coupled with a good price, it looks like Google might have a winner.

Kindle fire has won over some 4 million customers in less than a quarter simply as it wasn’t too expensive for many to buy it. It’s not a Ferrari, but it is affordable and it is good enough for people getting it.

This time we really think that Google has a good shot at the tablet market. Still, although the new tablet will come from the house of Google, don’t expect it to get a quick update to Android 5 or god forbid Android 6.

Samsung is about to conclude talks with Google to develop and launch smart TV based on Google software next year.

The new TV should allow consumers to surf the web, check their emails and social network feeds, but we believe many will use it to torrent stuff and play Angry Birds, too. Samsung hopes the advent of smart TVs will allow it to maintain higher prices and avoid price erosion in the increasingly contested TV market.

The new TV won’t appear anytime soon and Samsung says it won’t show it at CES. However, LG is also working on a Google TV and it should be ready in time for CES.

With relatively low component prices, new Android TVs should not cost a fortune, at least not compared to current high-end sets. So, 2012 could be the year of Android TV, which could open a lot of integration possibilities for app developers and phone vendors alike. Controlling your new smart TV via smartphone could be just an app away.

The announcement means man a good thing for Microsoft, as it covers pretty much all the TV and internet tube content you’ll need. On the other side of the fence, Google on will not be so happy, as Google TV is yet to report any serious mainstream adoption.

Microsoft’s list of partners is as follows and, as you can see, Google better have an ace up its sleeve.

Arm is apparently in talks with search engine Google to replace the Intel Atom chips on its Google television with something more armful. Tudor Brown, president of Arm confirmed that this was his outfit's plan it was chatting with Google at the moment.

When Google TV software was announced, Google said it was made for use on Intel's Atom processor CE4100, an x86 architecture chip. If Arm chips were used the software would have to be re-written to run on its RISC based format.

Brown said Arm's latest processors are less expensive and require less power than Intel's Atom processor. "If Google TV is to be mainstream, it must be built on a lower power system... on lower cost technology," he said.